Hamster Dancin' Around the World

Water level is holding steady, has only risen 2cm since 5.45 this morning. Have just done a little check around the town. The temporary levee situated at the Bridge is holding well. Can see by the level that if this wasn't put in place our town would be well and truely wet. The seepage (breach) that is causing concern has massive amounts of trucks coming and going to seal it. We stayed well away not wanting to get in their way. driving around the town in the area of concern lavees and sandbags are everywhere. Spirits still excellent here at Kerang island Resort.

Thanks the updates... hope you stay nice and dry.

It's starting to look a bit damp down there.

Interesting - and a bit scary - major flooding in parts of all 3 eastern mainland states.

All safe and sound after all that flooding, still extremely wet around here, Sorry i haven't been on so much the past few days have been very hectic. Anyhow, Penny is hitching a holiday with Ron and I. We are going cruising for 2 weeks around New Zealand on the Princess Dawn. Will try and upload pics when I can. If I can't will post them when we return.

Well we made it home after our 2 weeks cruise and what a time I had. There is so much to do on a cruise ship, The main competition was the eating competition. It went on 24 hours a day. I tried to be a careful little hamster but it was all so tasty. Anyway, will post some pics of where we went.



To start with, here is the backside of our ship. Her name is Dawn Princess. I have a front view of her for you soon.

Deck 12, the Lido Deck is the pool level. This is taken from the next level, deck 14 looking down. (There is no deck 13!) Life on the ship was so hard, I had to remember to use plenty of sunscreen while out on deck. I didn't want my little body all burnt. A peeling Hamster would not be a good sight. In Australia one thing I have noticed is the vast amouts of sunscreen used, it is something to do with sunburn and melanoma's. Anyhow, I am always a careful Hamster.

And here I am looking out over our balcony, blue seas for miles around. As we are on the 12th deck we were high above the sea. Looking down I could see other heads popping looking out, you could easily chat to the neighbours. Amazingly birds were way out on the ocean either bobbing on the waves or gliding above. So far from anywhere too.

Oooh... gorgeous! Looks like you had good weather, too.

Lovely photos! And I'm so glad you used sunscreen -- wouldn't want your pretty ears to get burned.

We went to a strange beach near Auckland, not to swim or sunbake, but to look at the sand. Yes this is black sand and it is magnetic. Very strange.

The black sand. Exported to Japan from further down the coast, it has high Titanium content too which is left in when converting it to steel.

Kauri trees are giant native trees in New Zealand, they are in trouble from a dieback virus of some kind. Scientists are working feverishly to try and beat it. Looking at it reminds me of the trees in Avatar. Beacause of disease issues we had to spray the soles of our shoes with disinfectant before entering and when leaving the forest.
This tree is actually only a small young one, probably about 1000 years old. some are known to live to over 2000 years.

As promised, here is a better view of the Dawn Princess. Our cabin is actually around the other side (starboard side), top row of windows about six from the front (the bow).

If you want to know which side of the ship is which, just remember - Red port is left. Nettie loves useless info like this.

useless, perhaps, in a large ship - but bloody useful in a small one, when something larger is bearing down.

Glad you're becoming a ship-shape hamster!

Penny did you see any harbour seals?

Did Penny see a harbour seal
I'm not quite sure she did
but if she didnt see one
I wonder where it hid


Thats an a2k family joke/comment from waaaaaaayyy back.

Someone needs to wake up the SealPoet.

Funny - I was thinking of SealPoet only the other day!

Happy Birthday Penny!!!!!!!!!!!

Yo, Izzie, how you goin' there, girl?

((((((((((((((((((((((POMcTaggers))))))))))))))))))) I'm good darlin', thanking you kind sir, am back! Hugs to you and FiBxxxxxx